The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-23

without care or a sorrow. | was sound, wind and limb, and had both my proper legs, and was making q good living by working at my trade for West End firm. l had bachelor lodgings in a respectable street in Westminster, and, being able to earn a good bit of money, very often took my pleasure on Monday, and per- haps on one or two evenings in the week beside.
 "lt was on the occasion of my mak- ing one of my Monday excursions to Gravesend that made the acquaint- ance of young woman whose name was Nancy Brown. She was not alone. An elderly lady was her companion, and supposed that she was the young woman's mother. On that account, being of a shy disposition, and dis covering that the lady was shy too, I made myself agreeable to the elderly one, so that l might find an opportl,- nifty to say few words to the young one as well. But nothing much came of that first meeting. The elderly per son mentioned that they were going to Rosherville Gardens, and I offered to accompany them, and we had pleas ant afternoon, with tea and shrimps afterward, and came back again to London by steamer Of course did it all on account of the young woman, though the fact is had hardly any thing to say to her. She was more bashful even than l was, and seemed rather glad than otherwise that the elderly one was present and prevented my making such advances toward her as l daresay my looks betrayed my longing to begin. But the elderly one made up for the young ones want of conversation, and she and had nearly all the talk to ourselves. It was she and who arranged where we should meet and go to the theater one even
 ing during the week, and it was, of course, understood that the young one was to come, too. Well, sir, we went to the theater, and I made up my mind that while we were there | would show myself little warmer toward the younger one than had as yet had chance of doing; but this her mother, as took her to be. pre-
 vented by seating herself between us would rather it had not been so. but from one point of view I could not be displeased. The more I saw of the young one the better liked her, and having a careful and atleetionate mother myself, I was glad to find that Nancy was looked after bv her parent. By the way, I should have told you that I did not find out what her name was until we were sitting in the pit that night. was making few remarks to her about the play behind her mothers back, and made bold to say, in a whisper, and so that the elderly one might not hear me, You have not yet told me what your name is, miss?' But she, the mother, l mean, heard me, and an- swered for her, and in a pleasant and encouraging way. Nancy Brown is the name, if you must know, Mir. In- quisitive.' The younger one said nothing. Indeed, l am not sure that she heard our subsequent observations to each other, but thought it good opportunity to hint the state of my feelings, and l remarked: 'Then per- init me to assure you that my making the acquaintance of Miss Nancy Brown has made me happier than in all my life before.' My hand was resting on the seat between us, and the elderly one put hers down and squeezed it. And then she turned to Nancy and said: Did you hear that, my dear? He had better be attending to the piece than talking such nonsense, hadn't hep I didn't quite hear what he did say said the younger one, col bring up, but so long as you and he understand each other, that is every thing You will excuse my troub- ling you with these small particulars" remarked the tailor parenthetically, "they may not seem much in them selves, but you will see presently what they led up to. l naturally thought we had all three as good as come to all understanding in my favor. The mother had squeezed my hand when I hinted how delighted l was to keep company with her daughter, and the daughter had blushed and consented. in manner of speaking, by remarking that so that the mother knew all about it, she herself had no objection. They lived in the next street to that where l resided, and I saw them home. I kissed the elderly one of the two bv way of showing how grateful felt to her, and then wanted to do the same with the younger, but she wasn't will ling, until the other said, laughing. Don't be silly, Nance! Don't mind me; shan't be angry She let me kiss her then, and as did so she gave me look that resolved me at once as to what should do. went straight home and wrote her letter, asking her to marry me. told her that she might, if it were an ordinary case. ob-